The clock is ticking for community members preparing for the first-ever week-long Building Bridges celebration, running Oct.19 through 26. All six committees--schools, community and religious organizations, entertainment, food, facilities and publicity--will be meeting for the last time on Sept. 10 before the actual festival to finalize plans and to give members an update on progress. A tour of the campus will be given at 6:30 p.m. to determine setup of booths and stages.

The event, which is designed to bridge generations and various cultural backgrounds, is sponsored by the Saratoga Rotary Club and will take place at West Valley College. More than 50 organizations will take part in the celebration. The Sept. 10 meeting will be held in the Baltic Room at West Valley College at 7 p.m.


Tea time at Saratoga Senior Center

The Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council invites residents to attend its old-fashioned tea party on Sept.11 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The fundraising event is open to all members of the public. A $12 admission fee will be charged. For more information, contact the council at 408.868.1262.


Program to help local professionals

Local and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking business advice can get needed assistance from counselors working with the Silicon Valley chapter of SCORE. The national organization will be holding hourlong one-on-one sessions for interested clients at the Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Saratoga's Chamber of Commerce. Sessions are free and will be held the first Tuesday of each month. Sessions are available only through appointments.

Counselors are experienced in various aspects of business including planning, accounting, financing, human resources and marketing.

For more information about SCORE, check out the website at http://www.svscore.org. To make an appointment, call the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce at 408.354.9300.